Design Crush – Melissa Haynes | MH Design

I was looking through an issue of At Home Arkansas a couple of years ago, & came across a lovely home that featured Melissa Haynes of MH Design as the designer. At first I took notice because that’s my sister’s name 🙂 And my parents lived in Northwest Arkansas, where she is based, for almost 20 years. But then I was taken in by Melissa’s style. She describes it as a modern take on traditional & classic designs, which is just right for her signature look.

I am nuts about what she did in the Tri Delt house at the University of Arkansas. This foyer is so crazy pretty – I want EVERY.THING. First, the Le Lac fabric from Brunswig & Fils in teal for the table skirt – dying. I love how she trimmed each panel of the skirt. And really, the navy velvet for the chairs isn’t what you would think of for them immediately, but it’s perfect because it really grounds the teal & keeps it from being too bright or pop-y. And I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of an antelope rug. Ever.

More gorgeous details in this pretty living room. I love a good winged piece, & these sofas are so classic. The pretty floral pillows are fresh & updated, & pull in the green Louis chairs in such a pretty gold finish – not easy to make gold look right on wooden pieces! And the gold mirrored table is nice & light on the zebra rug – another timeless addition – which anchors the space but also keeps it from feeling too frilly.

I think she likes the mix of different blue hues, & I agree – she pulls it together beautifully. You cannot go wrong with a navy velvet sofa, ever. And her pillow fabrics are gorgeous, too. She’s used another Louis chair here in white, which is pretty with the Ikat fabric on back & green leather seat. The wing chair is Lee – I know because it’s one of our favorite & best selling styles. And I love the white slipcovered chair that we only get a glimpse of with the contrasting banded skirt. Her attention to detail is just great.

More great detail in this kitchen. The classic subway tile in a blue hue is pretty & fresh against all the white cabinetry. The mix of glass front cabinet uppers add a light feel & keep it from feeling too heavy. More Lee! These dual seat counter benches are another of our favorite styles – here she has used a pair at the counter table, which is a separate piece from the island. On the ends of the kitchen counter table, she’s tucked Lee’s Bongo stools in blue for extra seating.

I’m not sure if she really does that much blue, or I’m just drawn to the different rooms she does in blue tone-on-tone, even pulling in some lavender. The mix is more subdued, & it leaves room to focus on the airy brightness that the windows add. The oatmeal hues she uses in the furniture & sisal also pull in the darker wall color, which is a little unexpected, but again adds so much warmth. And it really makes the white window panels stand out in their simplicity as well. I love the carved arm chair with the bright white fabric. The whole effect is so peaceful & serene.

I am a little bananas for this kitchen! That green & white tile – LOVE! No idea who makes it, but it’s so fresh & modern but still works in the more traditional feel of this kitchen. You don’t see a lot of green in kitchens lately, so it’s a fun detail. And the pattern on the window valances is unexpected, too, but it works well – no doubt she is pulling in some colors from an adjoining space.

I am also a big fan of the chaise, as I love to lounge any time, any where. This is a beautiful nook, with a modern touch in the window panels, & so inviting with the tactile details of the pillows, faux fur throw, & leather pouf. Seriously good.

On her website, she calls this house ‘Rural Fayetteville.’ It has a farmhouse feel that is totally charming but still fresh & updated. I love the pillow fabrics with the framed piece – it looks like it’s a fabric panel in kind of a tree of life vein. It’s gorgeous! And perfect with the pretty driftwood finish end table. Just warm & happy & inviting.